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What’s That one Series of Books you Won’t Forget?

In short, what’s your favorite series of books? Now I know this is not an easy question for any bibliophile out there to just answer without any thought. It isn’t for me, but hopefully by the time I reach the end of this post I’ll have an answer for you guys.

As you can see, I read a lot of different series. I have several more on my shelf that I have yet to start. Now, let me see if I can narrow it down a bit. Merci Rayborn and Kinsey Millhone aren’t my favorite. I’ve only read two Jack Reacher novels, though both good, not my absolute favorite series. Charlie Hood is written by one of my favorite authors but isn’t the best series I’ve ever read. Jesse Stone and Spenser are both written by the same author and I’ve read more Spenser books. Will Trent and Grant County merge into one series later. Karen Vail…good but not great. Same goes for Alex McKnight.

That leaves these for me to decide on my favorite: Spenser, Harry Bosch, Hunger Games, Alex Cross, Gears of War, and Halo.

#6 Halo

I’m sure some of you are fans of the video games, but if you haven’t read the books then you absolutely should. It makes the storyline of the games look like nothing. My reasoning for putting this series at number six is because the books are written by several authors, which sometimes makes the Master Chief change from one book to the next. They’re all good books, and a couple of them are truly great. Three of them are ranked in the top fifteen of my list of best books read.

#5 Gears of War

Might as well get the other science fiction series out of the way, right? I have every book of the series and I’ve read all but one. One of these is actually the longest book I’ve ever read at just a couple of pages under 600. Again, I’m sure some of you are fans of the video games, but there is SO much more to the story than the games can possibly offer you. SO MUCH. Karen Traviss has done a phenomenal job writing these books and you definitely see all of the characters in the books exactly as they are in the games. I have one of the books ranked as the eighteenth best book I’ve read, which is very high, but the others fall a little short. Just an overall solid series.

#4 Alex Cross

James Patterson has his critics for the way he writes and publishes, BUT the guy can entertain his readers like no other author I’ve ever read. Sure, his stories are sometimes farfetched and unbelievable, but you only think that AFTER reading the book. His way of writing two-three page chapters keeps you wanting more. He literally has you on the edge of your seat while you read. I believe the Alex Cross series is the only one of his that he writes alone. Four of these books rank in the top nineteen books I’ve ever read. Alex Cross has been adapted to film three times and none of them have matched the quality of the books. This is a series for every reader of crime fiction.

#3 Spenser

This is where I start having to nitpick just to continue the list and not declare a tie. I started the series late (it began all the way back in the 70s). I started the series after having read every available book of the Jesse Stone series a couple of years ago. Suffice it to say that I couldn’t buy the books fast enough. Spenser is a former boxer turned Boston PI. He’s smart, witty, and loves to cook. He has a set of values that you rarely read in detective fiction. He’s always looking to help someone. Always. There isn’t much more for me to tell you. Start the series.

#2 Harry Bosch

Man this is tough. I’m sitting here going through the books of the two remaining series and I can’t come up with anything negative for either one! The Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly was started in the early 90s. We’ve seen him age and adapt in real-time. It’s a wonderful thing to read. He’s a detective working with the LAPD and he takes every homicide victim to heart. Every one. You’d think that they were all family, and it just so happens that one of them was. Bosch is the guy cop shows try to show on screen. He’s the guy who never treats any one case differently than another. He’d solve every case if he could. He provides justice to those who need it most. If for some reason you haven’t started this series and you read crime fiction, then start it.

#1 Hunger Games

AND THE WINNER IS………..Hunger Games! I’m not trying to follow in everyone’s footsteps. I’m not. Yes I know the first two movies have begun a mega-blockbuster series. Yes I know millions of readers have declared their love for the series. Yes I know that there are similar YA series out there that many would argue are better. The thing is that I don’t care. I started this series at the beginning of 2012. I had no expectations because I honestly had no idea what the heck it was. I didn’t have a blog and I was unaware of the hype surrounding the series as the first movie’s release date neared. That first chapter, the one in which Katniss does the unthinkable and volunteers from District 12 to participate in the annual Hunger Games so her sister doesn’t have to, brought tears to my eyes and goosebumps down my arms. What author can accomplish that so early in a book?! The rest of the book flew by as I couldn’t stop reading. The second in the series, Catching Fire, managed to outdo its predecessor. I will admit, though, that the third book wasn’t quite on par with the first two. It was a great book and one couldn’t possibly predict how the series played out, but the other two were unforgettable.

So there you have my list, now tell me which series of books has left its mark on you permanently?

*All of the covers are the first books of their respective series. By clicking on any cover image you will be redirected to the Amazon product page of each book.*

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62 thoughts on “What’s That one Series of Books you Won’t Forget?”

Hrm. The question wasn’t really “Which is your favorite series?” It was “What’s the one series of books you won’t forget?” That said, I’m going with The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (and Brandon Sanderson for Books 12-14).

Yeah, you read that right: 14 books. The first in the series, The Eye of the World, was published in 1990. The last, A Memory of Light was published in 2013. It was a wild ride. I alternated between junkie-like hungering for the next book to swearing I wouldn’t spend another moment on a series that would probably NEVER be completed to being convinced I should give it another go. Ultimately. I did read that last book. It left me feeling like I had finally come to the end of a long, failed romance: it was bittersweet, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

Well, should you choose to become embroiled on it you have fewer hair-pulling issues than I did: 1. The series is complete. 2. You won’t have to deal with the question, “What happens when the original author dies before completing the series?” We already know the answer (if he left behind copious notes, anyway). His widow chooses another author to finish the series. In this case, Brandon Sanderson was that author.

Good to know. Robert B. Parker actually died in the middle of his Spenser and Jesse Stone series. Two authors were picked to continue both. I’ve yet to read books by either of them, though. I might not ever because I can’t imagine another author matching Parker’s know of the characters.

My favorite series is the Dumarest of Terra novels by E. C. Tubb. I read these books since I was in high school and they’re all available for the first time at Amazon. The best sci-fi adventure books I’ve ever read!

A difficult question! I’ve managed to narrow it down to a trilogy and a series that I read years ago:
Firstly, a trilogy by Marianne Curley – The Guardians of Time. An awesome ride through a fictional world set in modern times. I will definitely read those books again.
Secondly, The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Stephan Erikson. This series is a TREMENDOUSLY difficult read, but it’s a fantasy epic of EPPICK proportions, and honestly, I don’t know any other writer who has matched the depth stored in its pages. There are 10 books, some reach almost 1200 pages. I compare it to the likes of Lord of the Rings (the movies); the Belgaraid and the Mallorean by David Eddings. But honestly? There’s no comparison.
BTW, I’ve read the Harry Potter books too, but I would rank them 3rd, with The Malazan Books 1st (for depth, story and pure mind-blowing EPPICKNESS) and the Guardians 2nd (for ease and great storyline).

I haven’t read any of the series you mentioned. I’m pretty sure we have very different reading tastes, but that’s great! Variety is the spice of life.
And since you did it with Hunger Games, I’m going to do it with The Lord of the Rings.
I read them for the first time when I was about fourteen, and they opened up the whole world of Tolkien’s literature and northern literature in general to me. Ever since that first time through, I’ve been pretty obsessed with all things Tolkien, and I’ve discovered such amazing works as “The Kalevala,” “The Volsugasaga,” and “The Elder Edda.” He is BY FAR my favorite author.
And on a less nerdy note and in a different genre, I loved The Squire’s Tales! They’re set in King Arthur’s court, and they are infinitely funny. One of my favorite takes on the Arthurian legends.

My sister introduced me to David Eddings “The Belgariad” and follow up “The Malorean”. Delightfully funny and my first intro to sci-fi fantasy. I also grew up with the Harry Potter books so they have a special place in my heart. Agatha Christie, both Poirot and Miss Marple, are superb murder mysteries from a psychological stand point. A childhood favourite though has to be C.S Lewis Chronicles of Narnia. Before I was old enough to read them my mum used to read them to me.

The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. This made me want to become a writer. Only after reading these books did I get ‘flow’ because I was totally absorbed into the work of Roland Deschain and the quest for the Dark Tower.

Mine’s got to be the Discworld books. Them books never get old – Terry Pratchett is a master writer. And then there’s Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series, which I think should be a requirement for every self-confessed connoisseur (which, technically, I am not) of books. 😉

Awh, I love media, I love learning about how things have been manipulated and mediated into images that the audiences believe are real, it’s fascinating! And economics is my guilty pleasure! Ahaha, I want to become a journalist however! I love athletics, never played baseball, or watched it or really ever been associated with it I must say ;D not a typically British sport 😀 I also have a guilty passion for planes, I love flying, my dream is to become a pilot! Ahah! I’m sure you are!;)

I just saw this comment. You’re right. Media is cool. But it wouldn’t be my favorite. Sooo you should become a journalist and then a pilot and then fly over here and fly me around the world. Yup. It’d be fun!